Course Syllabus

2023-2024 Introduction to Statistics Syllabus

Department of Arts and Sciences 

Course Information

Introduction Table 1

Course Title		Introduction to Statistics
Course Number		Math 207 F2F7
Synchronous Meeting Day(s)		TR 2pm-3:15pm
Meeting Location		Gregory 104
Course Credit(s)	3 hours		Format	Face to Face
Start Date	Jan 20, 2024		End Date	May 17, 2024

Instructor Contact Information

Introduction Table 2

Name	Dylan Walker
Title	Instructor
Email	dwalker1@su.edu		Phone	540-665-4503
Office Hours	9-10AM MWF in H107A. I realize that this time doesn't work for everyone. If you want to schedule a meeting at a different time, please email me.

 

Course Description

This course will introduce the basics of elementary statistical methods including applications of probability, estimation, hypothesis testing, regression and correlation. It will build problem solving skills and creative thinking in the students. These topics are relevant in many areas outside of Academia and has the potential to be used in many other professions.

 

Course Objectives

• During this course, students will be challenged to improve their ability to learn and do mathematics by:
• See and understand where statistics is used.
• Demonstrate knowledge of statistical terminology.
• Use graphs and charts to represent data.
• Make concise summaries of data.
• Understand the relationship of probability to statistics.
• Understand the relationship between area under the standard normal curve and the probability of a normally distributed function.
• Calculate confidence intervals for means and proportions.
• Use the z and t tests in hypothesis testing.
• Apply mathematical methods to solve problems.
• Use the Central Limit Theorem to solve problems.
• Organize mathematical information using multiple representations and understand the applicability of each.
• Calculate linear regression equations and correlation coefficients.
• Analyze information with an appropriate mathematical model and interpret the results.

Course Foundation or Purpose (General Education)

The mathematical sciences department has several general education courses. Currently, those courses are: MATH100, MATH102, MATH202, and MATH207. General education courses must assess our general education goals:

1. Apply mathematical methods to solve problems;
2. Analyze information with an appropriate mathematical model and interpret the results
3. Organize mathematical information using multiple representations and understand the applicability of each

This course satisfies 3 credits of your quantitative literacy general education or "ShenEd" requirement.  If you entered Shenandoah University in Fall 2019 or later, this class fulfills 3 credits in the "Communicative & Quantitative Literacies Sphere." For all other students, this class fulfills 3 credits in domain 3. 

Virginia State Teaching Licensure Competencies:

This course contains specific requirements and activities to meet and support the following VDOE competencies for teacher licensure:

1. Probability and statistics: permutations and combinations; experimental and theoretical probability; data collection and graphical representations including box- and-whisker plots; data analysis and interpretation for predictions; measures of center, spread of data, variability, range, and normal distribution;

2. Understanding of the knowledge and skills necessary to teach the Virginia Mathematics Standards of Learning and how curriculum may be organized to teach these standards to diverse learners;
3. Understanding of a core knowledge base of concepts and procedures within the discipline of mathematics, including the following strands: number and number sense; computation and estimation; geometry and measurement; statistics and probability; and patterns, functions, and algebra;

4. Understanding of a core knowledge base of concepts and procedures within the discipline of mathematics, including the following strands: number systems and number theory, geometry and measurement, analytic geometry, statistics and probability, functions and algebra, multivariate calculus, discrete mathematics, and linear and abstract algebra;

5. The relationship of statistics and probability with biology in an appropriate interdisciplinary context;

6. Understanding of the sequential and interrelated nature of mathematics, the vertical progression of mathematical standards, and the mathematical structures inherent in the content strands;

7. Understanding of the connections among mathematical concepts and procedures and their practical applications;

8. Understanding of and the ability to use the five processes - becoming mathematical problem-solvers, reasoning mathematically, communicating mathematically, making mathematical connections, and using mathematical models and representations - at different levels of complexity;
i.
9. Understanding how to utilize appropriate technologies for teaching and learning mathematics, including graphing utilities, dynamic software, spreadsheets, and virtual manipulatives.

 

 

Required Material and Technologies

Good news!  Your textbook for this class is available for free online! If you prefer, you can also get a print version to rent or buy here: https://a.co/d/3WDmNqZ

Your book is available in web view and PDF for free.

Statistics from OpenStax, ISBN 1-947172-05-0

You have several options to obtain this book:

• View online (Links to an external site.)  (Links to an external site.)
• Download a PDF (Links to an external site.)  (Links to an external site.)
• Download on iBooks (Links to an external site.)  (Links to an external site.)

You can use whichever formats you want. Web view is recommended by OpenStax-- the responsive design works seamlessly on any device. If you buy on Amazon, make sure you use the link on your book page on openstax.org so you get the official OpenStax print version. (Simple printouts sold by third parties on Amazon are not verifiable and not as high-quality.)  I have no preference what you use, only you know how you learn best!

Text:  Introductory Statistics from OpenStax, Print ISBN 1938168208,

Digital ISBN 1947172050,

www.openstax.org/details/introductory-statistics

Programs: Jamovi- jamovi.org (FREE!)

My Open Math (FREE!)

Calculator: A basic calculator, TI-30XIIS, is all that is recommended.  For tests I will provide a calculator if you need one.

Assessment Standards and Criteria

Assessment Standards and Criteria

Homework and In-class activities                                 10%

Lecture Notes and prjects                                             10%

Learning Standards                                                       80%

 

Grade Scale

• A: 93% -100%
• A-:90%- (just under 93%)
• B+: 87% - (just under 90%)
• B: 83% - (just under 87%)
• B -: 80% - (just under 83%)
• C+: 77% - (just under 80%)
• C: 73% - (just under 77%)
• C-: 70% - (just under 73%)
• D+: 67% - (just under 70%)
• D: 63% - (just under 67%)
• D-: 60% - (just under 63%)
• F: Under 60%

Learning Standards

• Each Mastery Test will cover all material listed on the syllabus, Standards 1-10.  Students must demonstrate mastery (100%) on all concepts for each standard.  Students will be given opportunities to reassess on each test, until they demonstrate mastery.
• 80% of your grade will be determined by how many topics you are able to master during the class.  For your reference, this is the grade breakdown for how many standards and the percentage grade you receive.
• Standards are 2B, 3A, 6, 9, 10 are considered extremely important.  These standards are worth 10 points each.  All other standards mastered are worth 5 points.
• Standard 11 is from My Open Math assignments. If a student correctly answers at least 80% of the homework questions, then you will satisfy standard 11. It is worth 5 points.
• Partial credit on standards will only be awarded on the final.

My Open Math and Projects

• Homework will be graded and done through My Open Math.  You will need to create an account and the cost is FREE for the semester.  

• Each module, homework will be assigned, submitted, and graded through MyOpenMath.  Doing all of the homework is to the students' benefit (and also Standard 11).
• There will be NO EXTENSIONS or late assignments accepted.
• You may continue to work on the assignments after they are due for practice, with no credit.  This will help you reach your 80% for all MyOpenMath assignments (Standard 11), however the homework points will not be updated or rewarded after the original due date in Canvas.

• All MyOpenMath assignments, and most assignments, are due at midnight on their due date.
• I plan for there to be 2 or 3 projects.

Lecture Notes

• You will print and/or download the provided lecture notes on canvas using your apple pencil, ipad and app that you have purchased (or paper and pencil if preferred).
• The guided notes should be completed prior to each class session (see pacing guide for when these are due).  They will be checked for completion.
• There will be NO extensions or late work accepted if you are not IN class or do not have the notes completed on the due date you will not receive credit.
• Youtube videos will be available for you to watch and complete the lecture notes for each standard prior to class.  These are posted under the Standard Module.
• All examples from the video and extra examples are to be completed to receive full points.
• All lecture notes, and most assignments, are due at midnight on their due date.

Attendance Policy

Attendance is taken at the beginning of each class period. If you are not present at that time, you are considered absent.  Students who are absent 20% or more of scheduled class meetings may be removed from the course. If you are not present for the entire lecture, you will be marked as absent. For school excused absences, you will need to contact me prior to the lecture. If this is done, you won't receive an absence. For extreme situations, I will make the final call on this.

 

Unless you are explicitly given permission, you are not allowed to attend class via zoom.

 

Missing Mastery Tests and Quizzes

Most weeks will have a mastery opportunity (aside from the first few weeks). Due to the nature of mastery tests, you cannot make up missed mastery opportunities. The exceptions are school excused absences. (If you are missing a class because of a club activity, you will need to contact me prior to the missed day. For illnesses, you will need to get an accommodation for this.)